HC Deb 14 May 1902 vol 108 c193
MR. P. A. MTIUGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state how long John Lavin, of Ballinaford, has been held a prisoner in Sligo Gaol; what was his offence; what was the order made in his case; and when will he be released.

MR. TULLY (Leitrim, S.)

I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how long John Lavin, of Corricknahorna, near Boyle, who is over seventy-three years of age has been detained as a prisoner in Sligo Gaol; on what charge was he committed to prison; and when is it proposed to release him.

MR. WYNDHAM

This man was committed to prison on the 7th May, 1901, for an unlimited period, for contempt under a Writ of Attachment issued by the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice. I have called for information as to the nature of the contempt, but have not yet received it. I cannot say when he will be released. The matter is not one in which the Executive can intervene.

MR. DILLON

Then, can a man be kept in gaol for the rest of his natural life?

MR. WYNDHAM

The rule is that any person so committed remains in prison until he has purged his contempt.